Aqua Girl wins at the Midmar Mile

Leigh Mc Morran (13) is as fast as a fish in the water and proved it when she won her race at the Midmar Mile.

All U13 and over 30 year old swimmers raced in the same event at Midmar Dam on 11 February, and Leigh clocked an unbeatable 00:22:02 despite cool weather and tall waves.

“When there are lots of waves I have to use my arms to push myself higher so water does not get into my mouth,” she said in-between laps at her swimming club in Cresta, Aqua Athlete.

The Northcliff High School learner has been swimming since she was four years old, and prefers open waters simply because she does not have to count her laps like she has to in pools.

“But even when I train at the club at 5am every weekday, the pool water wakes me up as soon as it hits my face. It is refreshing.”

ALSO READ: Hoping for gold at Gold Coast 

Leigh is a competitive swimmer, and lives by the old adage ‘what does not kill you makes you stronger’.

She swims in the morning, immediately after school and again in the evening five days per week. When she is not competing on the weekend, she trains again.

Leigh competes for her club at regionals, and for Central Gauteng Aquatics at Open Water Nationals.

According to her coach of five months, Adrian Goate, Leigh is a determined swimmer with a bright future ahead of her.

“Leigh has a great attitude and puts in 100 per cent every day,” he said.

“She is very friendly and supportive of other swimmers at the club, which is a bonus.”

Leigh added that she would never stop swimming.

Next up for her is Open Water Nationals in Jeffreys Bay on 3 March.